Game board with apertured path and movable goal member



g 17, 1955 N. T. M FARLAND ETAL 3,201,129

GAME BOARD WITH APERTURED PATH AND MOVABLE GOAL MEMBER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1963 0 M 5 WM ar N W W w g- 1955 N. T. MCFARLAND ETAL 3,201,129

GAME BOARD WITH APERTURED PATH AND MOVABLE GOAL MEMBER Filed March 1. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 marker.

United States Pate Q GAME BOARD WITH APERTURED PATH AND 1 MOVABLE GOAL MEMBER Norman T. McFarland, Mayyiew, and Burton C. Meyer,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, 111., a partnership Filed Mar. 1, 1963,8421. No. 262,062

Claims. (Cl. 273134) ,by a chance device. Aside from aiding in teaching a child to count and possibly producing a choice of paths for the markers in attempting to be first to a goal, these games provide little inthe way of action for retaining interest of the participants.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a new and amusing game.

7 Another object is to provide a new and am-using game in which markers are moved stepby-step from a starting point along a three-dimensional body to a goal. Another related object is provision of such a game which provides action features attendant to movement of the A still further related "object is provision of such a game in which the markers are moved automati- .cally from certain stations to other stations. Another object is provision of such a game wherein the goal is scoring a goal, or maybe dischargedfrom the goal member in which event play of the game continues. These and other objects of the invention are more par.- ticularly set forth in'the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan View of the game;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional: View taken generally tional view of a portion of FIGURE. 2 and taken. generally along the line 3-3 inFIGURE 1;-

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the game;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 5--5-in FIG- URE 1, and illustrating a goal member in a partially concealed position;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but with the goal member inan actuated position for designating the scoring of agoal; and FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a trigger mechanism shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

The invention is, in brief, directed to a game including a body 10 having a base "12 adapted to be supported on a suitable table top or the like. Extending upwardly from the base 12 thebody 10 includes a superstructure 14 in l the form of a hill or mountain provided with a plurality of stations 16 for receiving markers, such as a marble or ball 18. The stations 16 are arranged on the hill in a plurality of series extending from starting point 20 toa goal .22. The stations 16 include first stations 16a (FIG- URE 3) each for retaining a marker 18, and enlarged second stations 16b (FIGURE 2)each adapted to pass the marker from the station. Any markers 18 received by the second station 1612 are passed to transfer means in the form of a transfer part 24 from which the markers pass to lower stations. The goal 22 at the top of the hill is in the form of a goal member normally partially concealed within the body 14). As a marker 18 is received by a terminal second station 26 at the topof the hill (FIGURE '1), it passes to the goal member 22 where it may be retained, thus moving the goal member to indicate scoringa goal. and designating the winner of the game, or it may pass t-o the transfer means from which it is deposited at a lower station and must be again moved step by-step toward the goal member22. Any suitable .chance device, such as diceor a spinner, may be utilized bill may beintegral with or provided asa part separate from the base 12, and the interior 'of the hill, including the. transfer mea-ns24, is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The body 10, and more particularly thewsuperstructure 14, is generally in the shape of a hill having a pluralityof paths 32, each with a starting point 54 near the base of the hill and extending upwardlyin a circuitous manner toward a crest of the hill and more particularly the goal member 22, Each path has "3. series of theistations '16, and if desired, the paths and theirstations maybe interconnected to define a maze of paths leading to the crest of the hill. The second stations having enlarged openings 16]) are preferably randomly interspersed among the first stations. r t i n In the illustrated embodiment, the markers 18 are each in the form of aspherical marble m arker and the stations 16 are upwardly facing holes in the superstructure.

More particularly, the first stations 16a are holes of a diameter'smaller than the diameter of the marble markers 18 to receiye and retain the markers on; the paths, and the second stations 16b are of a diameter largerthan ,that of the marble markers so that the markers fall through these holes. During play of the game each player moves his markerlS from one LO-f-flifi: starting points 34 a number of steps or stations as determined by a suitable chance device. During a turn at play, should a markerendon a first station 16a, it will be retained along the respective path 32, but should themarker end on .a second station 16b,i-t will pass: through. the opening defining the station. n

Transfer means is provided in the form of the transfer part received within the superstructure 14 and having 7 suitable guide means in the form of upwardly facingchan- "nels 40 inclined npwardly from adish-shapjed central portion 42 to immediately below each of. the secondstations 16b, so that a marker 18 falling through a second Herein the part 42 may be in any suitable material such as a relatively rigid plastic material, preferably molded as a unit with channels 44, and is suitably attached to the bodyfl10 as by rivits 46 (FIGURE 4) extending through outer ends of the channels and the base Patented Aug. 17, 19 65 member partially within the cup Q3 12. The dish-shaped central portion 42 is provided, in the illustrated embodiment, with a squat conical base 48 and slightly projecting ribs 40a extending radially from the apex of the base 48, so that a marble marker 13 will roll over the ribs and finally be deposited in one of the channels 44 for conveyance back to a path 32. In order to further randomly deflect a marker 18 passing on to the central portion 42, a mounting stub 52 extends downwardly from the goal member to a position immediately above the apex of the base 48 so that the marker is deflected by the stub.

In order to retain interest in the game, the transfer means is effectively concealed within the body 10, so that as a marble marker 18 passes through one of the second stations 16b, it is out of view until it emerges from the hill and is seated on a first station 16a along a lower portion of a path. Because'of the transfer means randomly deflecting a marble marker 18 passing therethrough,-it cannot accurately be predicted at which point the marble will emerge from the hill.

The goal member 22 is in the form of a crown having an open top so that a marble marker 18 may be observed therein. The stub 52 is integral with a bottom wall of the crown and extends telescopically through an aperture in a base wall of an upwardly opening cup 54 of the body. The cup receives and partially conceals the crown in the normal position of the crown, as illustrated in FIGURES '2 and 5. The goal member 22 is movable from this concealed position outwardly from the cup 54 responsive to actuating means in the form of a spiral tension spring 56 received about the stub 52 and compressed between the goal member bottom'wall and base'wall of the cup, when the goal member is telescoped into the cup 54,

as shown in FIGURES 2 and 5.

Trigger means is provided for releasably retaining the goal member telescoped into the cup 54. Herein the trigger means is in the form of a generally L-shaped trigger lever 58, shown separately in FIGURE 7. As shown in FIGURES and 6, the trigger lever 58 has a pivot pin 59 mountedon the base of the cup 54 for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. A trigger arm 60 extends upwardly from the pivot and through an opening 62 in the base of the goal member 22 and into the goal member. A keeper 64 on the trigger arm 60 is releasably latched with the base of the goal member for'retaining the goal member in depressed, partially concealed position within the cup 54. As a marble marker 18 passes through the terminal second station 26, it rolls through an inclined chute 66 and through an opening 68 in the depressed goal member 22. It may then roll against the upwardly extending trigger arm 60 for disengaging the keeper .64 from the base of the goal member 22, thus releasing the goal member so that the spring 56 movesit upwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position shown in FIGURE 6. As the goal member 22 moves to this extending position, a

'lug portion 70 on the upper end of the trigger arm 60 engagesthe base of the goal member to retain the goal 54 and the opening 68 blocked by a side wall of the cup;

Means is provided for alternatively directing a marble marker 18 received within the goal member 22 into en- 'gagement'with the trigger arm 60, as previously described,

or onto the transfer part 24. Herein this means is in the form of the base of the goal member 22 which is inclined downwardly from the trigger arm 60 toward the opening erates a suitable chance device and moves his marker the indicated number of stations 16 leading from his starting point 34 toward the crown-shaped goal member 22. Should the marble marker 18 end on one of the first stations 16a, it is retained thereon as the other participants take their turn in a similar manner. Should the marble marker 18 end on one of the second stations 16b, it passes therethrough and emerges from the hill superstructure'14 along a portion of a path more remote from the crest of the hill than is the second station 1611 through which is passed. Play continues turn by turn, until one of the marble markers 18 reaches the terminal second station 26, whereupon it rolls into the goal mem ber 22 and onto the inclined base of the goal member. Should this marker fail to properly engage the trigger arm to release the goal member, the market will then roll from the goal member 22 and emerge from the hill at one of the first stations 16a, whereupon the succeeding participant takes his turn. Alternatively, should the marble marker 18, upon passing through the terminal second station 26, properly engage the trigger arm 60 with sufiicient force to disengage the keeper 64-from the base of the goal member 22, the marker will be retained within the goal member as the goal member in the form of a crown pops upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 6, thus designating the winner of the game.

Thus, the game provides active features here in the form of the goal member 22 popping upwardly at the end of the game, and the marble markers 13 disappearing from stations 16 along a path 32 and emerging .at another station along a path. In addition, the body 10 may be economically manufactured of suitable plastic ma terial molded into any desired shape to provide an interesting playing surface. While the markers 18 are illustrated in the form of spherical marbles, various other types of markers may be used, as desired. Similarly, the body may take desired forms other than the illustrated hill. However, the particular illustrated design in the form of a hill having a crown-shaped movable goal member 22 at its crest is particularly desirable because it resembles and suggests the old King of the Hill game often played by young children and familiar to most participants. v

While this'invention has been described with reference to certain features and materials in a particular environment, various changes may beapparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is, therefore, not to be limited to such features, materials or environments. Various ofthe features of the invention are'set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A game comprising a plurality of markers, at three-' dimensional game board in the shape of a hill having paths with starting points near the base of the hill and terminating at a crest of the hill, said paths having a series of stations adapted to receive said markers and leading from said starting points to said crest, said stations including first stations constructed to retain said markers in position on the respectivepath and second stations randomly interspersed'among the first stations and con structed a permit the passing of saidmarkers from the respective path to the interior of said hill, a goal member near said crest, means affording passage of a marker from one of said second stations to said goal member, said goal member including actuating means responsive to engagement by a marker being received by said goal member to move said goal member upwardly to retain the marker and indicate the winner of the game, said goa member also being constructed sothat a marker entering. the goaland not engaging said actuating means is released fromsaid goal member, and means for receiving said markers which pass from said second stations to the; interior of'the hill and thosewhich are released from said goal member and for passing such, markers to said first stations along the paths.

2. A game comprising a pluralityof markers, a game board in the shape of a hill having paths with starting points near the base of the hill and terminating at a crest of the hill, said paths having series of'stations adapted to receive said markers and leading from said starting points to said crest, said stations including first stations constructed for retaining said markers positioned on the respective path and second stations randomly interspersed among the first stations and constructed to permit said markers to pass to a position below the respective path, a goal member movably mounted on said board near said crest, means afiording passage of a marker from one of said second stations to said goal member, actuating means for moving said goal member to indicate the winner of the game, said actuating means normally releasably retaining said goal member relatively stationary and being responsive to engagement by a marker received by said goal member to release said goal member for movement relative to said board, transfer means in position for receiving said markers from said second stations and for randomly passing such markers to first stations along the paths and nearer said starting points, said goal member including means affording the passage of a marker from said goal to said transfer means when said actuating means is not engaged by said marker.

3. A game comprising a plurality of marble markers, a game board in the shape of a hill and having a maze of interconnected paths with starting points near the base of the hill and terminating at a crest of the hill, said to said crest, said stations including first stations constructed to retain said marble markers in position on the path and second stations randomly interspersed among the first stations and constructed to permit passage therethrough of a marble marker, a hollow crown member normally retained in a partially concealed position within said board at said crest, means for passing a marble marker from a terminal one of said second stations to the interior of said crown member, actuating means including a part-within said crown member, and responsive to engagement by a marker to move said crown member outwardly of said crest from said partially concealed position to indicate the winner of the game, transfer means within said hill in position for receiving said marble markers from said second stations and for randomly passing such markers to first stations along the paths at positions there" on nearer said starting points, and said crown member being constructed and arranged in a manner affording direction of a marble marker received by said crown member into said transfer means when said marker does not engage said actuating means.

4. A game comprising a plurality of markers, a threedimensional playing surface having a maze of interconnected series of stations for receiving said markers and leading upwardly from starting points at lower portions of said surface, said series of stations including first stations adapted to retain said markers and second stations randomly interspersed among said first stations and con: structed to permit passing of said markers to the interior of said playing surface, a goal movablymounted at an upper portion of said surface, means affording passage of a marker from one of said second stations to said goal, transfer means in position for receiving said markers from the other second stations and for passing such markers to first stations, said goal including actuating means for effecting movement of said goal and which is responsive to engagement thereof by a marker entering the goal with sufiicient force to operate said actuating means to efiect movement of said goal and retain the marker therein, and said goal being further constructed and arranged so that a marker entering the goal with insufiicient force to actuate said actuating means is directed into said trans fer means for passage into one of said first stations.

5. A game comprising a marker, a playing board having a goal and series of stations for receiving said marker, said stations leading from starting points to said goal and including first stations adapted to retain said markers and second stations adapted to pass said markers to a position below said stations, means afiording the passage of a marker from one of said second stations tosaid goal, transfer means in position for receiving said marker from said second stations and said goal and adapted to pass such marker to other of said first stations, said goal including actuating means for elfecting movement of said goal and which is responsive to engagement by a marker entering said goal with suflicient force to operate said actuating means to effect movement of said goal and cause said goal to retain the marker and indicate the winner of the game, and said goal being further constructed and arranged so that when a marker enters the goal with insufiicient force to operate said actuating means such marker is directed into said transfer means.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 403,761 1/34 Great Britain.

DELBERT LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A GAME COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF MARKERS, A THREEDIMENSIONAL GAME BOARD IN THE SHAPE OF A HILL HAVING PATHS WITH STARTING POINTS NEAR THE BASE OF THE HILL AND TERMINATING AT A CREST OF THE HILL, SAID PATHS HAVING A SERIES OF STATIONS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID MARKERS AND LEADING FROM SAID STARTING POINTS TO SAID CREST, SAID STATIONS INCLUDING FIRST STATIONS CONSTRUCTED TO RETAIN SAID MARKERS IN POSITION ON THE RESPECTIVE PATH AND SECOND STATIONS RANDOMLY INTERPERSED AMONG THE FIRST STATIONS AND CONSTRUCTED A PERMIT THE PASSING OF SAID MARKERS FROM THE RESPECTIVE PATH TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID HILL, A GOAL MEMBER NEAR SAID CREST, MEANS AFFORDING PASSAGE OF A MARKER FROM ONE OF SAID SECOND STATIONS TO SAID GOAL MEMBER, SAID GOAL MEMBER INCLUDING ACTUATING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ENGAGEMENT BY A MARKER BEING RECEIVED BY SAID GOAL MEMBER TO MOVE SAID GOAL MEMBER UPWARDLY TO RETAIN THE MARKER AND INDICATE THE WINNER OF THE GAME, SAID GOAL MEMBER ALSO BEING CONSTRUCTED SO THAT A MARKER ENTERING 